Police again ask public for help locating murder suspect

Winnipeg police have taken the rare step of re-issuing a public plea to help find a man wanted for gangland slaying inside a city restaurant.

William Edward Moar, 24, was gunned down at Johnny G's on Main Street in February in a killing justice sources say was tied to ongoing disputes between rival gang members.

Several witnesses who were inside the restaurant at the time said a man dressed in black entered the bar shortly before 2 a.m. and fired two shots. The first, missing Moar, almost hit an employee behind the bar. The second struck Moar in the head.

Police announced in mid-March they had identified a suspect in the slaying. But six weeks have now passed and police are seemingly no closer to finding the fugitive as another call for public help was released on Wednesday.

Morgan Van Bone, 19, is wanted on a charge of first-degree murder. Bone is aboriginal, 5-9, 230 pounds with a heavy build.

Police say Bone is to be considered potentially armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 204-986-6508, 204-986-6222 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Moar was known to police and known to have gang ties. In 2009, Moar and another man were charged with numerous weapons offences. At the time, Moar was found with a loaded Colt .45-calibre handgun, a .22-calibre rifle, two magazines, numerous rounds of ammunition, a pellet rifle, and two pellet handguns.

Police also found two leather vests and other assorted clothing with gang insignias.

Later the same year, Moar was charged with aggravated assault along with four other men for a vicious attack on a 19-year-old man.

The victim sustained serious upper-body injuries, which still required medical care three months after the assault.

Moar last appeared in court last summer and was let out on bail for unknown charges.